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Florence Huskies' field should be ready for home opener

Florence-Penrose School Superintendent Rhonda Vendetti describes to school board members Bart Hall, Joe Caruso and Greg Dickey the repairs that need to be taken care of on the barrier wall of Husky Stadium at Florence High School. Officials said the stadium should be reopened in time for the team's home opener in September. (Carie Canterbury/ Daily Record)

Despite a small setback caused by rain last week, Florence High School's football field and stands should be ready for use before the Huskies' first home game, Superintendent Rhonda Vendetti said Monday during the Florence-Penrose School Board's regularly scheduled meeting.

"Shane Farley, who is our project manager ... said that he doesn't see a problem at all being completed by around the first week of September and definitely no issues with us being at the new field on Sept. 12," Vendetti said.

The target date was set for Sept. 1 during a July 15 board meeting.

Marcus Conte, a 2014 Florence High School graduate, signed up for public input and asked about the progress of the stadium at the beginning of the session.

"We haven't played on that field since the 2009-2010 season," he told the board.

On July 14, crews began drilling 22 caissons, which will be 36 feet in depth in front of the stands to make sure the structure is secure.

The problems at high school began shortly after the state-of-the-art $18 million facility was built in 2006 and cracks appeared in several places, including the track and a significant shift in the commons area. Husky Stadium was closed in April 2011 when safety officials deemed it unsafe because the stairs, leading up from the track, moved away from the wall, and a barrier wall shifted forward. About four-and-a-half to six inches of movement was documented.

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Contractors initially worked with the district to make repairs, but after problems became more severe, they told the district there was a two-year statute of limitations and they had no further obligation to make fixes.

In the summer of 2010, the district hired legal representation to file a lawsuit against the soils engineer CTL/Thompson; MGA Structural Engineers; Acorn Construction Company; and architects Christiansen, Reece & Partners, P.C.

The district settled out of court in 2013.

In other business, the board:

— Introduced new board director, Mitzi Heard.

— Resolved that Fremont School District's operation bills be allowed and paid when due.

— Recognized the Home Builders Educational Foundation Advisory Committee as an organization of the district.

— Approved the district's operational purchases more than $5,000.

— Approved financial reports for checks that have been issued.

— Approved the purchase of a preschool/special education mini bus for the amount of $60,995.

— Approved the LED Lighting Proposal bid from ASG Energy in the amount of $165,618.50 for Florence High School.